Peter Ralston - who co-founded the Island Institute with Philip Conkling - is the house photographer. His pictures grace every issue of the annual Island Journal. He grew up in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania - the winter home of the Wyeths. A life long friend of Andrew and his wife Betsy, he is a peer and close friend of their son James - himself a distinguished artist. He spent a lot of time at Jamie and wife Phyllis's Kent House, on Monhegan Island. It is so named because it was built by the great illustrator, landscape painter, expedition sailor, and rebel Rockwell Kent. Among Ralston's projects was his commission to make photographic reproductions of Andrew's paintings. If you click on Ralston's name, above, you'll find yourself at his website. 
We have a print from the original negative of the top photo - Clearing - which is his signature image. I had the impression from faint recollection that Ralston didn't like it very much (that the sky is overexposed - actually that's just the image I found.) But Peter's comment corrects that error. HERE is the image on his site. As I observed there is great power in the image of the sheep huddled under tow in that skiff. The brightening sky and the sun through the mist convey mystery, hope and vulnerability. The sheep were on their way to Allen Island. Owned by Andrew and Betsy, the stone cross on the island's south eastern bluff was erected by the state of Maine to mark the 300th anniversary of the founding of Maine: Capt. George Weymouth's prolonged anchorage in 1605 from which he explored the St. George River and Georges Islands, and the Penobscot Bay and River. Known as George's Harbor, it is the Wyeths (and my) favorite spot.
1 comment:
Hello George, and thanks for your interest in - and kind words about - my work. Much appreciated.
A couple of things to mention in response; first, my new site is www.ralstongallery.com. On that site one will find, among other things, my Print of the Week feature, which we post every Wednesday and which tells the story behind many of my images...including the sheep in the dory pair. I actually do like Clearing very much....the sky is not overexposed and to that end I am sharing with you the file which looks much better than the one you found and used. I hope you enjoy the better image.
Again, my thanks and best regards, Peter
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